Bangladesh head coach Peter James Butler has insisted his side will focus on expressing themselves rather than being overawed by tournament favourites North Korea in their upcoming Women’s Asian Cup group-stage clash.
The two sides meet on 07 March 2026 at CommBank Stadium in Sydney, with kick-off at 8:00am Bangladesh time. It will mark the first meeting between the nations in international football.
North Korea arrive as one of the competition’s strongest contenders. The three-time champions are ranked ninth in the world and second in Asia, while Bangladesh sit 112th in the FIFA rankings.
North Korea opened their Group B campaign with a 3-0 win over Uzbekistan and currently top the table. Bangladesh, beaten 2-0 by China in their opener, are third. Despite the defeat, Butler believes his team drew encouragement from their performance.
“We are facing a very, very strong side,” Butler said. “Technically they are excellent and extremely talented. Looking at the rankings, they are clearly among the favourites. We have had tough opponents from the start — China and now North Korea. We must be at our very best.
“I am realistic. Winning will be a huge challenge, but the most important thing is that we give our best and maintain our identity.”
Butler also dismissed suggestions of looking too far ahead to the quarter-finals or World Cup qualification, stressing that development remains the priority.
“I want the players to improve with every match and learn from this experience. If we can raise our performance level again, then we are moving in the right direction. They must play with honesty, commitment and courage.”
Goalkeeper Mile Akter, who made her senior debut against China, impressed despite conceding twice. Butler light-heartedly compared her hairstyle to Elvis Presley, but was serious in his praise of her ability and character.
“She has waited a long time for her opportunity,” he said. “The only reason she had not played earlier was our lack of matches. Before the China game, we had almost 90 to 100 days without a preparation fixture, which was unfortunate.”
Butler defended his decision to replace experienced goalkeeper Rupna Chakma, emphasising the need to build depth in the position.
“My responsibility is to identify new talent and be brave enough to give young players their chance. Mili deserves it — she has height, strong hands and excellent character. She also comes from a disciplined background as a member of the Bangladesh Army.”
Midfielders Monika Chakma and Maria Manda were influential against China, contributing both defensively and in maintaining possession. Butler hopes they can have greater attacking impact against North Korea and hinted at possible changes to the starting XI, with squad rotation in mind ahead of the third group match in Perth.
“We have a clear game plan,” he said. “We will not simply sit back and absorb pressure. Even if we concede, we must remain active. When we have the ball, we want to be creative and positive. Without it, we must stay compact and organised. Against sides like North Korea or China, discipline is crucial.”
Captain Afeida Khandakar echoed her manager’s sentiments, insisting the squad will execute the coach’s instructions and aim to deliver a strong performance.
Despite acknowledging the gulf in ranking and pedigree, Butler remains optimistic.
“If we can play our football, we can win hearts and earn respect. We will not just defend — we will compete. Football is about moments. We had some good ones in the last match, and I believe we can create more against North Korea.”
